Home » Uncategorized » How Much Does a Fire Risk Assessment Cost? UK Prices & Calculator (2025 Guide)
If you manage a building in the UK, one of the first questions you may ask is how much does a fire risk assessment cost. Under the Fire Safety Order, you are required to carry out a fire risk assessment for most non-domestic buildings, as well as the shared spaces of hotels, apartment buildings, and student housing. The goal of a fire risk assessment is straightforward: you must identify fire hazards, analyse the associated risks, and ensure appropriate measures are in place to protect people.
However, when it comes to understanding fire risk assessment cost UK requirements, many people find themselves wondering, “What do they cost?”—a question that often leads to more confusion than clarity. A basic search will show fire risk assessment price ranges starting in the low £100s and going up into the many £100s or more, depending on the type of property, the level of assessment required, and the provider.
In general, most small to medium-sized commercial buildings in the UK can expect average fire risk assessment prices in the low to mid £300s. Larger, very large, and/or high-risk buildings often exceed £1,500 and can cost as much as £5,000 or more. These costs vary because buildings differ widely in size, legal complexity, risk level, and the nature of their fire safety systems, all of which influence the final price.
In this guide, you will learn:
Quick Overview
Fire risk assessments are essential for keeping UK buildings safe and legally compliant. Costs typically range from £150 to over £5,000, depending on property size, complexity, occupancy, and risk level. This guide explains what impacts pricing and helps you understand how much a fire risk assessment costs, including the average cost of fire risk assessment UK, fire risk assessment cost per square foot, and how to use a fire risk assessment cost calculator.
This guide covers:
✅ Key factors affecting the cost of fire risk assessment (size, layout, risk level, assessor qualifications).
✅ Typical price ranges for different property types.
✅ A step-by-step fire risk assessment cost calculator to estimate your own costs.
✅ How to obtain accurate quotes and avoid hidden fees.
By the end, you will have a full understanding of what is being charged and what budget range to expect within those parameters.
When determining the fire risk assessment cost UK businesses can expect, the main factors to consider are time, assessor knowledge, and the intricacy of the building. The more detailed the assessment needs to be, the higher the cost. Many people begin by asking, “How much does a fire risk assessment cost?”—and the answer depends largely on the factors below.
This is by far the biggest cost driver. The larger and more complex the property, the more time the inspection and documentation will require, which directly impacts the fire risk assessment price.
Assessors will consider:
A simple small office might take under an hour, while a multi-storey hotel or warehouse could take half a day or more.
Two identical buildings can have very different assessment costs depending on how they are used.
Risk level increases when:
For this reason, care homes, hospitals, hospitality venues, and factories usually cost more to assess than standard office spaces.
The assessor must review all existing fire safety systems, including:
Buildings with more advanced systems usually take longer to assess because there is more to check — although well-maintained records can speed up the process.
If your site has never been assessed before, the first inspection can take longer due to the lack of historical information.
Highly qualified assessors generally charge more — but they also provide more reliable, defensible, and compliant assessments. Many hold qualifications such as NEBOSH Fire Safety or Fire Risk Management credentials, or membership of recognised professional bodies.
An experienced assessor usually offers:
Cheaper assessments are often shorter, less detailed, or less reliable.
Prices vary across the UK due to differences in cost of living, business overheads, and travel times.
Travel time, fuel, parking, and congestion charges may be added to the quote. It’s important to confirm whether these are included upfront. Otherwise, unexpected additional costs may appear later and affect the overall valuation.
The level of detail included in the assessment report has a noticeable impact on cost.
Basic, lower-priced assessments may include:
More comprehensive assessments typically offer:
They may also include a detailed, step-by-step action plan with:
Most businesses opt for mid-range assessments, as they provide sufficient detail to maintain compliance without the higher cost of unnecessary extras.
Fire risk assessment prices vary widely across the UK because buildings differ significantly in size, use, and complexity. Many people looking for a clear answer to how much does a fire risk assessment cost find that the price depends heavily on property type. Below is a realistic breakdown of what different buildings typically pay in the current fire risk assessment cost UK market (2025).
Properties under 1,000 sq ft with a small number of rooms, minimal occupancy, and limited escape routes are usually among the simplest and quickest to assess. As a result, the fire risk assessment price for these buildings is generally lower.
Estimated Costs:
Assessments for this size typically involve a site walkthrough, a check of fire doors and alarms, a basic evacuation review, and a short written report. Although the report may take a few days to finalise, many assessments are completed on the same day.
Restaurants and cafés tend to sit at the higher end of this range because cooking activities increase overall fire risk, even in small spaces.
Medium-sized premises include more rooms, extra levels, an increased number of staff or visitors, and often more fire safety systems. As such, the fire risk assessment cost UK for these properties reflects the additional time and complexity.
Estimated Costs:
Compared with small premises, these assessments take longer due to multiple escape routes, more complex alarm systems, and higher occupancy risks. Restaurants and pubs are particularly detailed because they involve fire hazards from kitchens, public access, and alcohol storage.
Larger buildings cost more because of the time required for thorough inspections, measurements, and detailed reporting.
Typical Costs:
Large premises often have additional staircases, more complex fire safety systems, storage areas, and varied layouts. Hotels and guest houses typically cost more because of stricter legal requirements relating to people sleeping on the premises.
Some properties carry higher levels of fire risk or are subject to stricter regulations, meaning assessments take significantly longer and require more expertise. This is reflected in the fire risk assessment price.
Typical Costs:
Costs rise due to factors such as:
These buildings require more comprehensive reports, extensive photographic evidence, and in-depth action plans.
Businesses operating several similar premises—such as retail chains or multi-branch offices—can often save significantly by assessing multiple sites together.
Typical Savings:
10–30% off each additional site
Benefits of using one assessor for multiple locations:
Multi-site evaluations are especially cost-effective when the buildings share similar layouts, occupancy levels, or fire safety systems.
Evaluators determine the cost of fire risk assessment primarily based on property type, size, complexity, and any additional services requested. The fire risk assessment cost calculator below guides you through the same process used by assessors. This section also helps answer the common question: “How much does a fire risk assessment cost?”
Start by determining the general category your property falls into. Most buildings will be in one of the following groups:
This step matters because different activities create different fire risks. For example, cooking, sleeping occupants, public access, or hazardous materials significantly affect the fire safety assessment cost and overall complexity.
Next, determine your total floor area. The simplest method is to confirm or measure the square footage of each floor and add them together.
General size categories:
Larger properties take more time to assess due to increased escape routes, rooms, and fire safety equipment. This step alone can significantly influence the average cost of fire risk assessment UK.
Next, refine your estimate by identifying complexity factors. Each factor typically increases the assessment time and therefore the fire safety assessment cost.
Common cost-increasing factors include:
These can add £50–£200 each, and assessors usually combine them into a single complexity score when preparing a quote.
Some assessments include only the core inspection and written report, while others include extra components—particularly if you want more robust fire safety management.
Optional extras include:
While these increase your total fire safety assessment cost, they may save money long-term by reducing compliance issues or insurance risks.
Below are three realistic examples to show how the cost of fire risk assessment changes depending on size and complexity.
Property Details:
Office, low risk, 750 sq ft, one floor, no hazardous materials, standard alarms and extinguishers.
Estimated Total: £180–£320
Property Details:
2,000 sq ft, full commercial kitchen, open flames, public access, multiple staff and customers, multi-room layout with several escape routes.
Estimated Total: £500–£850
Property Details:
12,000 sq ft, industrial equipment, high storage, combustibles, multiple fire zones and stairwells.
Estimated Total: £1,100–£2,000
Once you understand the factors that influence the cost of fire risk assessment, the next step is knowing how to obtain a suitable and accurate quote. Fire risk assessments vary from one assessor to another, so the quality of the information you provide is vital. Being prepared also helps avoid hidden charges and ensures you choose a qualified professional. This section is particularly useful for anyone trying to determine how much does a fire risk assessment cost for their specific property.
Before requesting quotes, gather as much information about your property as possible. Assessors generally base their pricing on the details you provide. The more complete and accurate the information, the more accurate the estimate—especially if you’re comparing quotes or using a fire risk assessment cost calculator.
Start with the essentials:
This includes:
fire alarms, smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, emergency lighting, exit signage, fire doors, compartmentation, and any other fire safety installations. It is also helpful to share any previous fire risk assessment reports.
If there are blocked exits or outdated equipment, be honest about it. Assessors appreciate transparency, and it results in a more realistic quote aligned with your actual needs rather than assumptions.
Not all assessors offer the same quality. Some hold advanced qualifications or belong to respected fire safety organisations, while others may offer low prices but lack proper training or insurance. Given the average cost of fire risk assessment UK, it is important to ask the right questions to ensure you are comparing value rather than just the price.
Key questions include:
These questions help determine whether you are dealing with a qualified professional or someone providing only a basic checklist-style assessment.
Requesting three to five quotes is always recommended. This helps you understand the average cost of fire risk assessment UK for your property type and identify quotes that are unusually low or excessively high.
When comparing quotes, do not focus solely on the total price. Evaluate what each quote includes. Some assessors provide detailed reports with clear recommendations, while others may offer basic documentation of limited value. A higher quote is often justified if it offers more thorough work or better guidance.
Be cautious if a quote is significantly below the market average. This may indicate:
In fire safety, the cheapest option is rarely the best.
Reputable assessors clearly define the scope of work. A standard assessment typically includes:
High-quality reports also prioritise urgent, medium-risk, and long-term actions. This structure helps you plan risk mitigation and budget appropriately.
Assessors usually offer follow-up support for a set period at no extra charge. Beyond this period, further revisions or queries may incur fees.
Assessors may charge for additional services such as:
If your property requires specialist assessments—such as fire door inspections or equipment testing—these are usually charged separately. Regular reviews or annual updates are generally not included in the initial fee.
Understanding these practices helps you anticipate the full fire safety assessment cost and make informed comparisons.
A well-executed fire risk assessment is an investment rather than a cost. Comprehensive assessments help reduce the risk of enforcement notices, business interruption, and insurance problems. Many insurers offer more favourable terms for businesses that actively maintain fire safety compliance.
Assessments often highlight simple, low-cost improvements—like better storage arrangements or clearing obstructed escape routes—that significantly reduce fire risks. Over time, these improvements can produce time and cost savings that far outweigh the assessment fee.
Considering this, it is usually worthwhile to pay a little more for a licensed and experienced assessor, especially when determining the fire risk assessment cost per square foot or the total cost for a complex building.
The estimated price for fire risk assessments in the UK can start at approximately £150 and can exceed £5,000, depending on the scope and size of the property or the level of risk involved. Anyone researching how much does a fire risk assessment costs will quickly discover that prices vary due to factors such as property size, the number of people in the building, the type of industry, and the level of detail required in the assessment.
While initial costs vary, the long-term advantages of a detailed assessment far outweigh the upfront expense. Failure to comply with UK fire safety law can result in enforcement notices, business closures, fines of up to £10,000, and, in extreme cases, imprisonment. Choosing a registered assessor ensures that your report is accurate, actionable, and legally compliant.
If you are arranging an assessment, begin by gathering detailed property information, requesting multiple estimates, and select assessors with the appropriate qualifications. A good assessment not only keeps your building safe and compliant but also protects your business, your employees, and your customers.